ASA member Chico Hernandez inducted into Maine
Sports Hall of Fame
by Joseph Cyr


BANGOR — James “Chico” Hernandez still has difficulty believing the company he is now in. After all, it is not everyday that a person gets elected to the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.

Hernandez, a 1979 graduate of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, was one of seven Maine sports figures inducted June 4 into the 31st annual Hall of Fame. He is the first Sombo wrestler to be enshrined in the Hall.

His wrestling resume is impressive — a seven-time Sombo All-American; winner of seven AAU Sombo titles; six-time All-American honors; and three AAU national crowns in Greco-Roman wrestling.

In recognition of the event, Hernandez received a trophy cup. “The greatest compliment was paid to me by the emcee, USM AD Dick Costello, when he introduced me to the crowd as ‘Maine’s most decorated wrestler,” Hernandez said.

Others inducted into the Hall of Fame included Richard Barstow, Mike Bordick, Brian Higgins, Irving Kagan, Roger Reed, and Peter Webb.

“Mike Bordick was very cool and he seemed very interested in me,” Hernandez said. “He told me that he is getting into Martial Arts and I was showing him some techniques. We were wrestling around in our tuxes before our photo shoot.”

Bordick autographed some baseball cards and a few baseballs, while Hernandez gave him an autographed box of Wheaties Energy Crunch which featured Hernandez.

“He seemed very impressed when I gave him an autographed box of Wheaties and told me that he was not even on a box,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said he asked Bordick what his greatest thrill was playing professional baseball for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets. Bordick told him playing in front of 55,000 fans at Yankee stadium in the Subway Series and replacing Baltimore legend Cal Ripken at shortstop were two of his career highlights.

“All in all it was a great moment in my life knowing that the selection committee and the people of Maine recognize me and acknowledged me as one of the greatest athletes in the state,” Hernandez said. “I am the first University of Maine-PI grad to be inducted, the first wrestler/Sombo fighter and person from my town (Washburn) to be inducted. The Security Force here at the Maine State Prison have all been very supportive.” Hernandez said he is still training for future fighting competitions.


Publication Date: June 16, 2006